I'm trying to brainstorm a trade for Banham.
Maybe something involving Perkins? The Lynx may view her as serving her purpose with Cruz probably coming back full time next year. Now to convince Miller he needs to rely on more that just young players. He's not a college coach anymore.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

I do. If Cruz is coming back full time, why have Perkins wasting away in the 5th guard spot, when you could have Banham sitting there. If something happens that Banham would have to step, then she'll have to step up. It'll be good for her.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

Conn could just work with internal growth but I would basically rebuild the team around C. Ogwumike and the youth (Jones and C. Williams look like future starters, Banham is still a question mark but is the equivalent of a free first round pick next season having missed most of this one, and Tuck was showing well before her injury). I would definitely put Bentley, Little, Stricklen, and J. Thomas up on the trade block and see what is out there for them. I might even include A. Thomas on that list but she gives Conn the option to go small with her and Chiney at the 4 and the 5 or go big with her and Chiney at the 3 and the 4 which creates a lot of flexibility. Maybe there is nothing better but I would still look around, J. Thomas and Bentley are both decent but I don't think they are so good they aren't replaceable.

Something like Bentley for Kizer could work for both teams, Conn needs another center and I wouldn't hold my breath for Henry, if not Kizer maybe Vaughn. Or a mid first round pick (Indy, PX, Chicago) that could be turned into B. Jones.

One intriguing but risky move if Deshields lives up to her hype and declares this season A. Thomas and C. Little for the #1 pick I'm sure SA would consider it, and I'm sure it would be considered a very risky move for Conn, but J. Thomas/Banham, C. Williams/Bentley, D. Deshields/Tuck, C. Ogwumike, and J. Jones might be a crazy good line up in a couple of years.

Who knows with Miller now the GM (as if it'll make much difference), but I doubt we'll see any mass trades out of CON. Continuity is key once you build the team you want. The Thomas twins were bright spots for CON. I'd be surprised if either of them were dealt. If AThomas could add a three point shot, she'd be a special player.

I doubt IND needs a volume shooting guard (Bentley) who will pout on the bench. They already have Lucas who doesn't pout. Kizer apparently was seen as better than Achonwa, so Achonwa would more likely be the object of a trade if it were to happen. I just don't think it's wise to trade a big (rare) for a guard (abundant) in general unless the guard is really special.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

I'm trying to brainstorm a trade for Banham.
Maybe something involving Perkins? The Lynx may view her as serving her purpose with Cruz probably coming back full time next year. Now to convince Miller he needs to rely on more that just young players. He's not a college coach anymore.

I'm trying to brainstorm a trade for Banham.
Maybe something involving Perkins? The Lynx may view her as serving her purpose with Cruz probably coming back full time next year. Now to convince Miller he needs to rely on more that just young players. He's not a college coach anymore.

Little is a UFA.

I was being glib on the Little mention (in the Dallas thread). But you might want to teach Miller what it means to core a player.

dtsnms wrote:

Allison Hightower will be back.

Even if she does come back and manages to somehow stay healthy, are you suggesting that Hightower is better than somebody listed above? I thought you were always (or at least recently) in Faris' corner.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

Connecticut has a lot of options, the only thing is I can't see any of them making the team any better. I'd move Jones to the starting lineup. I'd take anything I could get for Henry and try to resign Little. I kind of feel like Little is going to sign with a contender. The line up I expect to see at the beginning of next season is.
PG: J. Thomas/Banham
SG: Bentley/Williams/2nd Round Pick
SF: A. Thomas/Strickland
PF: Ogwumike/Tuck
C: Jones/Alleyne/FA or Draft Pick

I'm trying to brainstorm a trade for Banham.
Maybe something involving Perkins? The Lynx may view her as serving her purpose with Cruz probably coming back full time next year. Now to convince Miller he needs to rely on more that just young players. He's not a college coach anymore.

Little is a UFA.

I was being glib on the Little mention (in the Dallas thread). But you might want to teach Miller what it means to core a player.

dtsnms wrote:

Allison Hightower will be back.

Even if she does come back and manages to somehow stay healthy, are you suggesting that Hightower is better than somebody listed above? I thought you were always (or at least recently) in Faris' corner.

I would not core Camille Little, and yes Hightower is better than people on your list when healthy. She was an all-star when she was.

Even if you don't want to keep Little, doesn't she have some trade value?

I guess Little isn't worth max money even to a young team, so is she gonna walk? I could see her walking to IND or WAS.

I really like Hightower. Hope she can in fact get/stay healthy.
I could see Indy throwing a bunch of money at Little. Washington not so much. SAS should want her but who the hell knows what will happen there and if she has a choice, why choose the bottom of the barrel? I could also see Little contributing in Atlanta, but that would be too confusing. Perhaps CT could work a sign and trade but I suspect she will just walk.

I don't see CT trading Banham for an old vet unless they saw enough to think she wasn't going to make it. I would think they spent enough on her to want to take a look at her when she's healthy.

Trading a starter is unlikely unless they think they're getting a starter in return. A. Thomas is Catchings like, yeah, if only she could get a shot. Maybe too late for that but I don't know her mentality - she looks like a worker anyway. I wouldn't give her up frivolously, but for the right price she wouldn't be untouchable.

Alleyne is going to surprise some people (I think). Great worker/rebounder. It does mean the only post with an outside shot will be Tuck, which is somewhat limiting, especially if your SF also has no outside shot. I do think that post rotation with Chiney and Jones ( oh yeah, she also has an outside shot ), then Alleyne, Tuck, and Henry off the bench is solid enough.

Neither Faris nor Stricklen are irreplaceable but they also won't garner anything in trade value so you have to just straight up find someone better. Faris' salary will also be going up as she gets off rookie salary. Bottom vet might not be a problem for this team so who knows, maybe they want to keep a mascot. Hightower can replace one of them, then find a FA. Or maybe Asia Taylor beats somebody out.

Bottom line you have a team much like this year, except adding in (hopefully) Hightower, Banham, and Alleyne. And the babies have one more year of experience and Chiney is a year farther away from injury. It still looks like a middle of the pack team at best, but one with a much better chance to at least get into the playoffs.

I'm yet to be sold on Curt Miller as coach, but will give him another year to play with the pieces he has assembled.

_________________“Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.”
― Maya Angelou

At this stage of her career, Little might not be just about the money. If she considers NC home, then WAS would be the closest club, and she could play with Sanders and Latta, if they're still there.

If she's about another Championship, she could try MIN or LAS. Did Agler like her? He might be drooling at the thought of Little. PHX could be an interesting possibility. BTW, Little was drafted by SAN. Only lasted a year there, went to ATL for a year, before blossoming in SEA.

Alleyne would be a surprise, but I've been surprised before. I think I had Bulgak rated higher. BTW, I'm surprised Miller passed on Bulgak but picked up a slightly experienced Asia Taylor. Maybe it was a timing thing.

I don't believe Faris' salary would necessarily spike unless she's in demand. If she gets no offer sheets, I believe they could negotiate for as low as the vet minimum for 4 years experience, whatever that is.... probably not that high.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

_________________"Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant

My guess is Hightower will be there and Little will not. Stricklen maybe. Faris maybe just because she seems to hang around no matter what. Anyway Stricklen is not a SG and Tuck is perhaps an SF for a few (very few) minutes against certain lineups but will primarily play post. I see her as a younger Little-like player, though not as good yet.

_________________“Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.”
― Maya Angelou

My guess is Hightower will be there and Little will not. Stricklen maybe. Faris maybe just because she seems to hang around no matter what. Anyway Stricklen is not a SG and Tuck is perhaps an SF for a few (very few) minutes against certain lineups but will primarily play post. I see her as a younger Little-like player, though not as good yet.

Maybe the Sun should ship Chiney & Banham to whichever team drafts Kelsey Plum for her and another player. Plum is like Banham but without the constant injuries and Banham clearly never wanted to be in CT anyways so...

Chiney has been injured for 50% of her WNBA career. The Sun have had enough injury problems to last a life time. Plus they have Jillian Alleyne coming in this season who is supposed to be really really good no?

Hightower is done. But if she comes into camp and plays well, do they keep her over Stricklen who has yet to do anything in the WNBA? At least Hightower was an all-star one year, what has Stricklen ever done? Or does Hightower replace Kelly Faris? Doubt it. The Sun are totally in love with Faris and like keeping their fans happy. If Faris could score, she'd be very useful to the Sun but she hasn't been a scorer in either her college career (except her senior season) or with 4 full years with the Sun.

Maybe the Sun should ship Chiney & Banham to whichever team drafts Kelsey Plum for her and another player. Plum is like Banham but without the constant injuries and Banham clearly never wanted to be in CT anyways so...

Chiney has been injured for 50% of her WNBA career. The Sun have had enough injury problems to last a life time. Plus they have Jillian Alleyne coming in this season who is supposed to be really really good no?

Hightower is done. But if she comes into camp and plays well, do they keep her over Stricklen who has yet to do anything in the WNBA? At least Hightower was an all-star one year, what has Stricklen ever done? Or does Hightower replace Kelly Faris? Doubt it. The Sun are totally in love with Faris and like keeping their fans happy. If Faris could score, she'd be very useful to the Sun but she hasn't been a scorer in either her college career (except her senior season) or with 4 full years with the Sun.

Just read that Alison Hightower played in a game on December 5. Anyway, the game that I seen, Hightower actually looked good. If the Sun don't pick her up, I'm sure that another team will give her a shot.

dtsnms wrote:

Jet Jaguar wrote:

dtsnms wrote:

Yesterday we had a media event, unfortunately for Coach Miller the opening of the team report consisted of:

Chiney had surgery, will be out 6-9 months, will be treated conservatively
Tuck is recovering nicely
Banham is recovering nicely
Hightower is recovering nicely....

Just read that Alison Hightower played in a game on December 5. Anyway, the game that I seen, Hightower actually looked good. If the Sun don't pick her up, I'm sure that another team will give her a shot.

dtsnms wrote:

Jet Jaguar wrote:

dtsnms wrote:

Yesterday we had a media event, unfortunately for Coach Miller the opening of the team report consisted of:

Chiney had surgery, will be out 6-9 months, will be treated conservatively
Tuck is recovering nicely
Banham is recovering nicely
Hightower is recovering nicely....

I hope Hightower is recovering nicely since she's playing in Israel

Nope she left. She's back home.

She's under contract with Connecticut; maybe she went back. As of this Sunday when I talked to Curt Miller, she was back from Israel and they did not know if she was going to return.

If you read aWhom's updates, he mentions that the boxes are often incorrect about who is playing...so if you can read an actual article (probably in Hebrew) that says she is playing that would be more reliable than just going from a box.

_________________“Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.”
― Maya Angelou

“Last year was a challenging year for our team, but it was absolutely worth it because we found our identity: chemistry,” Ogwumike added. “I love every person on our roster, and that chemistry is our greatest strength. We played our best when we shared the ball and relied on each other on both ends of the court. I know next season will be our year.”

The Sun are still counting on Alba Torrens to come over this year. I think that is doubtful to ever happen. Should the Sun just give up her rights and move on? Also, what's the 411 on Allison Hightower? I feel like the Sun should just move on from her as well. They have Asia Taylor lighting it up in Australia now. Does anyone think she's worth keeping on the team? She's definately a better guard than Faris or Stricklen. They also have Jillian Alleyne coming in who was a great player in college no? I don't know much about her. But with Ogwumike out for part or all of the season, does anyone think she has a legit shot at making the roster? Is she any good?

Asia Taylor is a tweener PF, and tweener PFs tend to do well in Australia (Kelsey Griffin). Unfortunately Australia is not much of a gage for performance in the WNBA. It can be a confidence booster for the player.

CON already has a more versatile tweener PF in Alyssa Thomas, plus they probably have first dibs on Kelsey Griffin if she should return. I'm not sure they really need another tweener in Taylor. I suppose she's a possibility if CON runs out of other possibilities. Taylor hasn't developed guard skills as far as I know, so that kind of kills her value in the WNBA.

Alleyne will be a total mystery, but I'll be surprised if she's all that out of the gate. It was probably a good thing they were able to pick her up in the trade, just in case.

Torrens? Not sure what you mean by "give up her rights". Trade them? Why do that? Probably wouldn't get near what they could be potentially worth. It'd be kinda like giving up your rights to Cambage. Pretty sure Torrens doesn't specifically have a problem with CON. It's more of a WNBA thing. If you offered Laimbeer (or whoever) the rights to Torrens for a third round pick, I'm sure he'd snap it up. Although, a third round pick in 2018 could hold some gems if you have enough space on your roster to culture those gems.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

Seriously how long does the sun continue to waste a roster spot on faris?

Agreed. She's only there because shes a fan favorite. wasn't last year the final year of rookie contract? They would have to sign her to a higher paying deal this year no?

Sounds like she's a coach favorite too. But she'll be off the rookie contract and the coach who loves her now has to negotiate her to play for as little as possible. There's a small chance another team that values defense could give her a low ball offer.

_________________Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

Seriously how long does the sun continue to waste a roster spot on faris?

Agreed. She's only there because shes a fan favorite. wasn't last year the final year of rookie contract? They would have to sign her to a higher paying deal this year no?

Sounds like she's a coach favorite too. But she'll be off the rookie contract and the coach who loves her now has to negotiate her to play for as little as possible. There's a small chance another team that values defense could give her a low ball offer.

Doesn't Faris kind of fit the description of the type of guard Laimbeer likes? On the other hand, Coach Miller has already said he wants to make as little changes to his roster as possible because he wants continuity, unless he can get a good free agent.

I agree with what you said about Alleyne, she is a complete mystery and if she does make the final Sun roster, I could see her coming along kinda slowly with limited minutes as well until she's comfortable with the system and comfortable with her knee. I hope she impresses in camp because I'd like to see what she can do, and with Ogwumike out, she has a small window of opportunity to make an impact. I can see her maybe playing 8-10 minutes per game like JJ did for most of last season to get her feet wet in the WNBA.

Asia Taylor is a tweener PF, and tweener PFs tend to do well in Australia (Kelsey Griffin). Unfortunately Australia is not much of a gage for performance in the WNBA. It can be a confidence booster for the player.

CON already has a more versatile tweener PF in Alyssa Thomas, plus they probably have first dibs on Kelsey Griffin if she should return. I'm not sure they really need another tweener in Taylor. I suppose she's a possibility if CON runs out of other possibilities. Taylor hasn't developed guard skills as far as I know, so that kind of kills her value in the WNBA.

Alleyne will be a total mystery, but I'll be surprised if she's all that out of the gate. It was probably a good thing they were able to pick her up in the trade, just in case.

Torrens? Not sure what you mean by "give up her rights". Trade them? Why do that? Probably wouldn't get near what they could be potentially worth. It'd be kinda like giving up your rights to Cambage. Pretty sure Torrens doesn't specifically have a problem with CON. It's more of a WNBA thing. If you offered Laimbeer (or whoever) the rights to Torrens for a third round pick, I'm sure he'd snap it up. Although, a third round pick in 2018 could hold some gems if you have enough space on your roster to culture those gems.

Well, Asia Taylor at 6'1 is more of a guard/forward like Shekinna Stricklen who is 6'2. I believe Taylor would certainly be an upgrade to Stricklen. Do you agree?